Programs

Main Content

The Chaddick Institute offers technical programs, trainings, scholarships, and other special events throughout the academic year on topics of interest to land use, transportation, and municipal policy professionals and students.

Municipal Design Review Network (MDRN)MDRN is a unique network for Chicago area communities with design review boards or staff professionals to share and develop best practices. This group organizes collaborative, professional-to-professional networking events sponsored by the Institute. Learn more about MDRN and its upcoming events here.

Plan Commission TrainingsThe Chaddick Institute works in partnership with the American Planning Association, Illinois Chapter to provide trainings to municipal plan commissions and village boards. All planning officials work hard reviewing cases, conducting public hearings, and considering policy matters, but they rarely get the chance to sit back and look at the big picture of what they do and the significance it has to the communities in which they live. Additionally, most officials are not professionals in the planning or development fields and can benefit from a bit of extra training on the topic. Even seasoned commissioners appreciate the chance to step back from the task of plan review and approval, learn what’s new in planning, and discuss their role with fellow commissioners. Learn more about Plan Commission Trainings here.

Air Transport Policy InitiativeThe Air Transport Policy Initiative is a new collaborative effort between DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development and College of Law focused on improving air and intermodal transport worldwide through innovative policy solutions. Among other efforts, the initiative supports publication of the widely respected semiannual journal, Issues in Aviation Law and Policy, now in its sixteenth year, as well a number of periodic reports and white papers. Stay tuned for more information about this new and exciting initiative.

Transportation Research Forum (TRF) - Chicago ChapterThe Chaddick Institute is the administrative home of the Chicago Chapter of the Transportation Research Forum?. This chapter of "TRF" sponsors free quarterly brown bag lunches on the DePaul campus, as well as webinars and other events showcasing innovations and timely research in transportation. Email trf-chicago@depaul.edu for information about becoming a TRF member, or visit our Upcoming Events and Recent Highlights page for information about past and future programs.

Development AwardsFor more than a decade, the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan
Development has hosted the Municipal Development Award competition
recognizing innovation and leadership in managing the development
process. Past winners deserve wide recognition for their excellence in
using zoning, development approvals, subdivision regulation, and design
to build stronger and more livable communities. Learn more about Chaddick Municipal Development Awards here.

Students and ScholarshipsThe Chaddick Institute encourages students at Chicago-area universities
to participate in its workshops and events. At any given point
throughout the academic year, 20 to 30 students are generally involved
in our programs, research activities, and bi-annual study trips to other
Midwestern cities. Students involved in our programs have gone on to
work at such organizations as the American Planning Association, Chicago
Metropolitan Agency for Planning, City of Chicago, Civic Federation,
and Congress for the New Urbanism. Learn more about our student and scholarship programs here.

Development CertificateCommunity-development specialists in the Chicago metropolitan area are increasingly being asked to undertake complex initiatives to enhance civic participation, housing conditions, job opportunities, mobility, safety, and many other aspects of neighborhood life. Globalization is changing the nature of their work and accelerating shifts in neighborhood employment and demography. The Certificate in Community Development at DePaul University is designed to put community development specialists on the cutting-edge of organization planning, leadership development, and program evaluation. Learn more about the Certificate in Community Development here.

Windy City in MotionOur exhibit, Windy City in Motion: Movies + Travel in Chicago, is on display at Chicago Union Station! You'll find fascinating portrayals of our city's transportation system and neighborhoods - many of which have been prominently featured on the silver screen - in this multi-media exhibit. See a picture of this attractive and informative exhibit here.